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Homeland Security Policy (HSP) Graduate Certificate

Monthly Information Sessions

Learn more about the homeland security program at our monthly CPAP info sessions on Zoom. Sign up for an information session here.

Faculty Coordinator: Patrick Roberts

CPAP offers a graduate certificate in homeland security policy focusing on domestic security and emergency management issues. The certificate serves either as a stand-alone credential of advanced educational achievement for non-degree students or as a supplement to a master’s or doctoral degree. Taking four homeland security courses will introduce students to the complexity and diversity of the homeland security environment. This includes:

  • analyzing threats from terrorism, cyberattacks, and infectious disease, and the importance of critical infrastructures;
  • considering questions of natural hazard (disaster) mitigation, preparedness, and resilience;
  • and investigating response and recovery strategies and outcomes. 

Taught by a mix of scholars and practitioners, the certificate addresses issues of homeland security strategy, policy design and implementation, planning, operations, and management across and among governmental and private-sector levels and networks.

Eligibility and How to Apply 
The certificate is open to non-degree students (through the Commonwealth Campus program) as well as degree-seeking graduate students across Virginia Tech. Anyone wishing to apply for admission to the certificate program should use the Virginia Tech Graduate School’s application form or contact graduate student coordinator Elia Amegashie at elia@vt.edu or certificate coordinator Dr. Patrick Roberts at robertsp@vt.edu.

MPA students may use the certificate as their concentration and reflect upon the certificate and homeland security issues in their portfolio or internship. Ph.D. students may use the certificate as a foundation for dissertation research in homeland security policy and management.

Time to Complete
Typically, one certificate core course is offered per semester. Students often complete the certificate while completing their degree requirements.

Use Your Certificate Toward a Degree 
MPA students may use the certificate as their concentration and reflect upon the certificate and homeland security issues in their portfolio or internship. Ph.D. students may use the certificate as a foundation for dissertation research in homeland security policy and management.

Thinking about applying? Talk to us!

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, but apply early for priority consideration. We can also help guide you to homeland security offerings at our Blacksburg, Arlington, or Richmond campuses, or online.

Students must take four courses (12 hours) to recieve the certificate. These include two required courses, and two electives.

Required:

  • PAPA 6264: Advanced Topic in Policy Systems Management *or when the topic is focused on homeland security
  • PAPA 5354: Homeland Security Response and Recovery

Electives (choose two)

  • SPIA 5124: Decision Making, Reflective Practice, and Engagement in STEM-H Domains
  • UAP 5214: Topics in Natural Resources Hazard Planning (3 credits)
  • PAPA 5254: Homeland Security and the Terrorist Threat
  • PAPA/STS 6664: Advanced Topics in Science and Technology: Complexity, Emerging Policy, Doctrine, and Reality
  • PAPA 6254: Advanced Topics in Homeland Security Policy: Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resiliency
  • GIA 5514/PSCI: Global Security
  • PAPA 5904: Project and Report
  • PAPA 5974: Independent Study
  • PAPA 6254: Advanced Topics in Public Policy
  • PAPA 6214: Public Policy Processes and Analytic Approaches
  • PAPA/STS 6664: Advanced Topics in Science and Technology Policy
  • TS 6664: Advanced Topics in Science and Technology Policy

Alumni Spotlight

  • Bio Item
    Dennis Bahena
    Dennis Bahena , bio

    Supervisory Information Technology (IT) Program Manager for the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), U.S. Department of Homeland Security

  • Bio Item
    Lauren Failla
    Lauren Failla , bio

    Management and Program Analyst, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

  • Bio Item
    Luke Hendrixson
    Luke Hendrixson , bio

    Staff Sargeant at Arms Protective Services, U.S. Senate

SPIA Homeland Security Student Experiences